Human Herpes Virus-6 (HHV-6) PCR (Qualitative) - bone marrow specimen
- LIS Mnemonic: HHV6PCR
Collect
Bone marrow in EDTA anticoagulated blood tube
Volume Required
1 ml
Minimum Required
0.5 ml
Transport
Keep specimen at 4C
Days Performed
Daily
Reported
Same day
Reflex Testing
N/A
CPT
87532
Methodology
Amplification and detection of HHV-6 DNA U65-U66 gene region using TaqMan real-time PCR technology. The test is performed pursuant to an agreement with Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
Interpretation
If positive, results are reported as human herpesvirus-6 DNA detected.
Reference Values
Negative or no human herpesvirus-6 DNA detected
Remarks
Clinical Utility: Human herpes virus type-6 (HHV-6) is the cause of roseola infantum, an illness characterized by an erythematous maculopapular rash with high fever in 20% of children. The disease is also called exanthum subitum and Sixth disease. Other illnesses include undifferentiated febrile illness without rash or localized signs, febrile seizures (common with roseola), infectious mononucleosis-like syndromes, hepatitis, and neurologic syndromes (e.g., encephalitis). Transplant recipients may have fever, hepatitis, leukopenia, delayed engraftment, neurologic disease, skin rashes, pneumonia, and bone marrow suppression. The virus may contribute to disease progression with HIV-1 and exacerbate disease with other viruses. The diagnosis of HHV-6 infection is increasingly being made by PCR, and HHV-6 DNA has been detected in specimens from solid-organ and bone marrow transplant recipients; children with roseola, acute febrile illnesses, encephalitis and febrile seizures, and other manifestations of primary infection; and AIDS patients. Quantitative PCR assays should be used in immunocompromised patients to associate infection with disease, predict and monitor disease progression, assess efficacy of antiviral therapy, and to facilitate our understanding of the pathogenesis of HHV-6. In these patients, viremia is considered to be the best predictor of disease, and quantitative measures of HHV-6 DNA in blood is useful for the continued surveillance and management of transplant patients.
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